'This is a challenge I have first-hand knowledge of from my time as a chamber of commerce director in Webster City, Iowa. It felt like an enormous part of my job was trying to entice, convince and drag people from businesses into participating in our chamber projects and events.
'We also hear this challenge from you often, on our Survey of Rural Challenges and in your stories you share with us. You’ve said things like,
“How do you get businesses to even read your emails let alone be involved and volunteer?”
“How do we get past the apathy of our small business owners? There’s no cooperation.”
'I came up with a few new ideas as a chamber director, and over the past eight years at SaveYour.Town, we have collected even more innovative ideas from communities across the United States in Canada. And those are what we are going to share with you today, along with several foundational principles that will help change your thinking and make your work easier.
'First, forget about dragging business people to committee meetings.'
Ready to hear the rest?
